Johanna Hurwitz

First-grader Monty Morris includes his new baby sister in a school project, gives his mother a surprising gift, gets a little more than he can handle with his friend Joey's dogs, and learns that sometimes a day filled with excitement is not the best thing.

A yard sale, ice skating, class pictures, and a surprise party are a few of the things that make fourth grade fun for Julio and his friends, but they must get serious about studying as the statewide end-of-year test approaches.

Lexi the squirrel and his guinea pig friend Pee Wee, who live in Central Park, help a hungry stranger with a funny hat.

Five-year-old Elisa has an older brother and a new baby brother, but her grandmother says the middle is the best, just like the filling in a sandwich.

Second-graders Arlene and Ilene Kelly are twins, identical twins to be exact, and they love being a pair. They love to dress alike, they have identical pet ferrets, and they do everything together. But being a twin is not always easy. And when Arlene gets sick and has to visit the hospital, the twins each find out what it's like to be one instead of two. But whether they're together or apart, Arlene and Ilene know they're lucky to have each other....

Julio hides his own leadership ambitions to help another candidate win the nomination for class president.